Brood, Bitch and Puppies 79 



ous a character, and I would not permit a bitch in 

 whelp to play with a dog of her own size too much. 

 A collision between her and a hesLvy companion 

 might be very serious indeed. Feed her now on a 

 gradually increasing scale of diet. Give oatmeal, 

 well-mashed greens, Spratt's biscuits and gravy, 

 with a little meat; also large bones to gnaw. 

 Plenty of milk will do good. 



"The nearer her time she gets, the more she will 

 need to eat. Feed her three times a day or even 

 four times. If you give her biscuit, let them be 

 steeped and well mashed. On the feeding of the 

 bitch during this time will depend the size and 

 helpfulness of the coming litter. You might give 

 her cod-liver oil, but it leads to deception, for it will 

 fatten without giving strength and toughness of 

 muscular tissue. It is important the bitch should 

 not ail dui'ing this time. If she is too much con- 

 fined, she will get livery and the foetus formation 

 will deteriorate. Castor oil, with a little of the 

 liquid extract of cascara sagrada, might do good 

 now and then. Half an ounce of oil, warmed with 

 two teaspoonfuls of the cascara, would be enough 

 for a very large dog. In keeping the bitch up in 

 health, strength and form you must try to hit the 

 happy medium, for you must not heat the blood. 



"It is important the skin should be kept clean, 



